Conditioning with Texas Swimming
The world record for breath holding is 8 minutes and 58 seconds. Being able to do that would undoubtedly improve your skills in the pool, because as a swimmer, you need more lung capacity than the average guy.
While it’s unlikely you’ll beat the record, you should work to get closer to it. According to Trey Zepeda, strength and conditioning coach for the University of Texas men’s swim team, practicing holding your breath is essential to being a high-level swimmer. “As a swimmer, you need to hold your breath, so we do exercises that condition the mindset while doing so,” Zepeda says. “They help with being able to expand, hold and lock air in your lungs and be comfortable with it.”
Zepeda has the Longhorns perform the Timed Breath Hold twice a week on dry-land training days. Try it to see how close you can come to breaking the record.
Timed Breath Hold
· Lie flat on back on ground
· Hold breath for specified time
· Release air slowly
· Rest
· Hold breath for next time in progression
Set | Time | Reset |
1 | 1:00 | 1:00 |
2 | 1:30 | 1:30 |
3 | 2:00 | 2:00 |
4 | 2:30 | 2:30 |
If you can’t hold your breath for the specified time in the progression, hold for as long as you can.
Coaching Points: Lie flat on ground and relax body // Make sure to release air slowly // Stay calm and quiet throughout exercise
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Conditioning with Texas Swimming
The world record for breath holding is 8 minutes and 58 seconds. Being able to do that would undoubtedly improve your skills in the pool, because as a swimmer, you need more lung capacity than the average guy.
While it’s unlikely you’ll beat the record, you should work to get closer to it. According to Trey Zepeda, strength and conditioning coach for the University of Texas men’s swim team, practicing holding your breath is essential to being a high-level swimmer. “As a swimmer, you need to hold your breath, so we do exercises that condition the mindset while doing so,” Zepeda says. “They help with being able to expand, hold and lock air in your lungs and be comfortable with it.”
Zepeda has the Longhorns perform the Timed Breath Hold twice a week on dry-land training days. Try it to see how close you can come to breaking the record.
Timed Breath Hold
· Lie flat on back on ground
· Hold breath for specified time
· Release air slowly
· Rest
· Hold breath for next time in progression
Set | Time | Reset |
1 | 1:00 | 1:00 |
2 | 1:30 | 1:30 |
3 | 2:00 | 2:00 |
4 | 2:30 | 2:30 |
If you can’t hold your breath for the specified time in the progression, hold for as long as you can.
Coaching Points: Lie flat on ground and relax body // Make sure to release air slowly // Stay calm and quiet throughout exercise